Emra

Dear ontheway,

I think you have posed a great question! Can one “beat” OCD? You have a pretty clear definition of what you mean by “beating OCD” (i.e. / dismissing intrusive thoughts, rationalizing irrational thoughts, controlling your OCD, and living a normal life.)

I think to properly answer that question you first have to look at how you view OCD. Most people view OCD as something that is “all in your head” and that with the proper dose of will power this silly condition will magically disappear. The common myth, with both the general public and sufferers, is that all you have to do is stay strong, keep the faith, learn to accept & let go, and that by simply having a good attitude you will be cured.

If you ask me that is a very simplistic, uninformed view.

First of all OCD is an actual disease! It’s not a phantom condition that is made up in one’s mind. Mental illnesses are actually physical illnesses that occur in a very physical organ called The Brain. I’m not sure why that isn’t obvious to most people!?! OCD occurs because of abnormalities of brain structure, brain activity and low levels of serotonin. All the will power and positive thinking in the world is not going to change that! So giving the advice that “it's attitude more than anything else that counts” is not really going to help you with this medical condition.

I find that sort of advice very inept and superficial.

Imagine telling someone with Type I Diabetes that their insufficient production of insulin or abnormal metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and protein is all in their head. And that all they have to do is keep a positive attitude to beat diabetes. That would be absurd! So why is this not the case with OCD?

OCD is a medical condition that requires medical treatments. Typically that includes medication and therapy. In very rare cases a cingulotomy (a type of brain surgery used to improve mental disorders) can be performed. That fact alone should highlight the possible severity of this illness! Unfortunately, even with treatment, OCD usually lasts a lifetime, with cycles of worsening and improving of symptoms.

Personally, I live with OCD but, I no longer suffer from it. I had early onset of OCD, developing the disorder around the age of 7. That is very early for a woman considering the typical age of onset is between 20 and 30. I believe it surfaced because my father passed away from cancer. Initally I had fears of hurting my family. Later my obsessions became inappropriately sexual and aggressive. I was so ashamed to talk about it that I hid my illness from my family and friends. I finally sought help at the age of 22 and was diagnosed with OCD (specifically I suffer from pure-O type OCD.) I suffered from OCD for 15 years before being diagnosed! What is so alarming is that I sought help relatively early considering most people with OCD don’t pursue help until they are 27!

Getting diagnosed changed my life. Suddenly I was no longer some weirdo with racing thoughts. The obsessions were no longer “my fault” and that what I suffered from had an actual name. Plus there were others just like me. But diagnosis also had its down side because I knew the disease would probably never go away and that I could no longer deny that I experienced obsessions.

Diagnosis was my first step (of many) in learning to live with OCD. Unfortunately, I wasn’t magically cured after being diagnosed. My first psychiatrist perscribed Celexa for my OCD but at the time I didn’t want to be dependant on chemical substances. I only took my medication for a few months after I was initally diagnosed. Then I stayed away from medication for almost 2 years. This last Christmas, I had an OCD relasp and started taking my medication again. But even then I was not very assiduous about taking it daily. All of that changed when I ended up in the emergency room having passive suicidal thoughts due to an very serious OCD cycle. I was imediately referred to a psychiatrist who put me back on Celexa (this time I took it religiously and it actually worked!) I was also referred to a cognitive-behavior therapist, who helped redirect my perception of OCD.

I am involved in a long-term relationship and my husband-to-be (we are marrying in two weeks) is extremely supportive, informed and understanding about OCD. That helps as much, if not more, as my daily dose of Celexa! He is often researching the illness, plus he is a very calm person which helps center me. He often reminds me to take my medication if it slips my mind and he can sense if I am about to relapse into an OCD cycle.

My fiancé and I were discussing the initial question you posed, “can you beat OCD?” and he thinks I have. By your definition I would say I have as well. But I also recognize that OCD is a legitimate illness and that I will most likely have it for the rest of my life. OCD is a chronic disease for 85 to 90% of people who suffer from it, with only 10 to 15% of sufferers experiencing full remission of their symptoms. I’m sure that I will take medication indefinitely and see a psychiatrist intermitently for the rest of my life.

Because of therapy; medication; and loving support from my fiancé, family, friends AND myself, I am now able to lead a happy and normal life. But that means that I take care of myself, like a cancer patient or diabetic would. I go to the doctor for check-ups to gauge my mental state, I pay attention to my anxiety level to prevent full blown obsession from occurring, and I take my medication each and EVERY day. I do not have wishful thinking that a good attitude is all I need to beat this illness. It takes a lot of work to get back to normal, but it can be done. Through therapy I’ve learned to dismiss intrusive thoughts when they occur, which is seldom because Celexa controls my OCD very well.

Right now, I am the happiest I’ve every been! I feel even better than I did before the OCD took me on a roller coaster ride.

My parting advice is to get a good team on your side (doctors, therapists, friends, family, etc.) Remember that OCD is an disease and that you are learning to live with it. I think if you can start doing that, who knows, normal just might be around the next corner!